Facilities

THE DOCK

The first era of LSUS Basketball (1990 – 1997) played their home games in the gymnasium located in the Health & Physical Education Building. Renovations took place during the '94 – '95 season. The renovations to the gym included a new hardwood floor, new basketball goals, and permanent bleachers on both sides. Unfortunately, the basketball programs were discontinued in 1997 and the renovated gym didn't see much action.

When the decision was made to reinstate the men's and women's basketball team for 2003 – 2004 season, the home gym was ready for play. A dock is a human-made structure or group of structures involved in the handling of boats or ships. The exact meaning varies among different variants of the English language and is sometimes referred to as a dockyard or shipyard where the loading, unloading, and building of ships occurs.

Both our men's and women's teams through the years have done more than their share of "loading" their rosters with quality student-athletes, "unloading" their talents on opponents, and have "built" themselves into perennial NAIA powers. The "Dock" was a natural fit for LSUS basketball programs and has proved to be friendly to the Pilots and Lady Pilots through the years.

The women's team at the "Dock" have experienced a lot of success. After 10 years of play, they have an overall home record of 204 – 65. The women have stringed together home winning streaks of 13 and 18 games through the years. The largest margin of victory is 51 points and came on January 4, 2020, when they defeated the Mississippi Univ. for Women by the score of 80 – 29.

The men's team have unprecedented success at the "Dock" and have a difficult time finding non-conference opponents willing to play the Pilots on their home court. The Pilots have posted an overall home record of 265 – 34 since the programs return in 2003. The Pilots have five different winning streaks of 12+ games with their longest streak being 35 consecutive home victories dating back to 2019. On five consecutive years (2005 – 2010), the Pilots cut down the nets at the "Dock" winning the GCAC postseason tournament championship before moving to the RRAC and cutting the nets down for five more Conference Regular Season Championships. Possibly the most impressive statistic for the Pilots at "The Dock" is having never lost two home games in a row.

The Dock gets rowdy on game day as it continually tests its 1,000 seat capacity. The Dock is also the home for a variety of other events for the community including numerous championship weightlifting events, professional basketball games, high school tournaments, and gymnastics competitions.

New LED lights were added to the venue in November of 2017 making The Dock one of the brightest courts in the country.

PILOT FIELD

Pilot Field officially opened February 17, 1994, as the Pilots swept Texas College in a double header.

Over the years, Pilot Field has evolved into one of the finest baseball facilities of all NAIA college baseball venues. It has seen numerous improvements thanks to fan/alumni donations, volunteers, and tireless coaches who put forth the effort to make it one of the best in the country.

Fans have numerous ways to enjoy all of the action at Pilot Field as they may sit in the grandstand behind home plate or have a more personal view seated in their "beach" chairs behind the brick backstop. New sections of chair backs and picnic tables provide extra seating throughout the stadium. Even the youngest of Pilot fans can choose to enjoy the action or get away to the playground between innings for a good time. The Pilot playground offers swings for the big kids and a hideaway for kids to crawl around. They can also enjoy practicing their slides into home plate as they leave the fort via a slide.

Major renovations took place just prior to the 2004 season as a new building was constructed, complete with men's and women's climate-controlled restrooms, along with a state-of-the art concessions stand. Another addition made at the same time was the installation of the new grandstands behind home plate topped by a press box for the working media and an announcer on game days. An outstanding sound system allows fans to keep up with the action on the field and to be entertained with music before the game and between innings.

In the fall of 2006, Ike and Isaac Lafitte, longtime friends and supporters of Pilots baseball, provided for the installation of a 4,200 sq. ft. covered batting cage facility equipped with lighting so players can work on their swings at any time, day or night. Mr. Isaac completed the closure of the indoor hitting facility in 2015.

Another addition to Pilot Field was added in the summer of 2012 with the renovation of a 1,200 sq. ft. locker room equipped with 55 player lockers. Just next door to the player's quarters is a 576 sq. ft. office for the coaches which easily converts to a meeting area. These facilities were renovated in 2021 giving the Pilots a training room down at the field. A new building was constructed and connected to the dugout. The new building provided the athletes with a new state-of-the-art facility complete with a new locker room, bathrooms, coach’s office, and laundry facilities, putting everything the Pilots need just a door away from the field. The Pilots also chose to honor the Pilots of the past by creating the Wall of Honor displaying all of those recognized at the National and Professional level for their performance.

In 2017 a new brick backstop was installed complete with the netting to protect the spectators from foul balls. In addition, a new entrance gate with two red brick posts complete a black wrought iron fence equipped with the LSUS anchor logo was installed. The 2018 season saw the addition purple turf halo with the LSUS logo installed around home plate. The covered batting cages were resurfaced with brand new field turf as well as the bull pen.

The Pilots saw another upgrade to the facilities as a turf infield was put into place in January of 2023. The upgrade included a turf mound as well as the LSUS anchor sported behind home plate.

While it takes great players and great coaches to establish and maintain a top-notch baseball program, the amenities of a facility such as Pilot Field certainly enhances the experience. Pilot Field has no doubt assisted in the recruitment of those great players while providing a wonderful place for their parents and friends, as well as LSUS students, faculty, staff and other fans to enjoy a day or an evening at the ball park.